engleski

Response of corn to zinc fertilization

In this study our previous investigations of corn genotypes response to zinc fertilization were shown, as well as testing the five corn inbred lines to different zinc fertilization treatments. The grain yield and ear-leaf zinc concentration were determined. Five corn inbred lines, the parental compounds of corn hybrids for seed-corn production (Os373, Os87-24, Os135-88, Os86-39 and Os1-48) were grown during the growing seasons 1997 and 1998. Two identical field trials were conducted every year with fertilization treatments as follows: a) ordinary fertilization (control), b) a+incorporation of 20 kg Zn/ha in ZnSO4x7H2O form immediately before sowing, c) a+ foliar application with 0.75% ZnSO4x7H2O solution at early growth stage (twice at 10-days interval in the beginning of June). The field trials were conducted in a randomized block design with four replications, and experimental plot measured 8.4m2 (two rows 6m long) and 42.0 m2 for inbred line and the fertilization, respectively. Ear-leaf for chemical analysis was collected from control treatments at the beginning of the silking stage. The grain yields of corn inbreds were different, depending on growing season, locality, fertilization treatment, as well as on inbred line. Higher average yield (4.96 t/ha) was realized in the 1997, than in the 1998 (4.35 t/ha). In the second year of testing (1998) very sigificant differences of yields were found among fertilization treatments and among inbred lines. In general, response to foliar application was more efficient in comparison with incorporation into soil, although results of numerous investigations prefer Zn application into soil, particularly from aspect of residual effect. Average zinc concentration in the ear-leaf was similiar in the both years of testing (21.4 ppm and 20.4 ppm, respectively), but considerable influence of genotype on zinc uptake was found. Depending on inbred line, ear-leaf zinc content ranged from 17.2 to 30.1 ppm (the growing season 1997) and from 13.5 to 26.9 ppm Zn (the growing season 1998). In all four trials, Os1-48 inbred line had the highest zinc concentration, while the lowest zinc concentration was found in the ear- leaf of Os373.

corn ; zinc fertilization ; zinc concentrations ; yield ; Croatia

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